[...]... Portugal colonized Madeira, sailors came here to harvest the sap of these strange trees, which still grow wild in Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde Some of the best views are to be had from the “Lovers’ Cave” at the topmost point of the garden 21 Madeira s Top 10 Left Madeiran geranium Middle Pride of Madeira Right Giant buttercups Plants on Madeira Madeiran Geranium Tree ! Madeiran geranium,... archways Top 10 Other Quintas to Visit Monte Palace 1 Quinta da Boa Vista 2 Quinta do Bom Sucesso 3 Quinta das Cruzes 4 Quinta do Furão 5 Quinta Jardins do Imperador 6 Quinta Magnólia 7 Quinta do Monte 8 Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro 9 Quinta da Palmeira 0 Quinta Vigia Madeira s Top 10 is an area devoted to plants indigenous to Madeira s laurisilva forest (see p23), including the thornless Ilex perado (Madeiran... and prime ministers – all of them lovers of good Madeira wine – line the walls of the museum at the heart of the lodge Also on display here are leatherbound ledgers recording every sale going as far back as the 18th century Madeira s Top 10 has shelves fashioned from old wine casks On sale here is a large selection of wines by all the producers in the Madeira Wine Company under the labels Blandy’s,... However, the Madeira Wine Company still employs coopers to patch and mend 100 -yearold barrels The coopers use traditional methods, mixing new and old oak The ) “Oldest Street” The street that runs up the eastern side of the wine lodge dates from the 1400s, in the early days of Madeira s settlement Wine barrels were once dragged across the cobbles on a sledge going to and from the harbour Madeira Wine Madeira. .. maturing the wine in lofts heated by the sun, without the need for a sea journey (See also p59 on estufagem.) Madeira s wine industry was nearly wiped out when the vines were attacked by mildew in 1851, and by phylloxera (vine louse) in 1872 13 Madeira s Top 10 Museu da Quinta das Cruzes, Funchal Madeira s early settlers built their homes on the heights above the harbour so that they could see pirate ships... on Porto Santo in 1419, and on Madeira in 1420 In 1425 he returned with people, seeds and tools to live on Madeira Zarco ruled the island’s southwestern half, while his fellow captain, Tristão Vaz, ruled the northeast from Machico Zarco’s half proved to have the better harbour, which became the island’s capital He died in 1467 at , the ripe age of 80 15 Madeira s Top 10 Left Lower choir Middle 17th-century... 17 Madeira s Top 10 Mercado dos Lavradores, Funchal The bustling and colourful Mercado dos Lavradores is more than just a market; it is one of the social hubs of Madeira, a meeting place for people from all over the island, who come from the country by bus to shop and to sell their wares The prices charged here are cheaper than those found in most of the supermarkets that are springing up all over Madeira. .. dishes of garlic-flavoured beans, salty olives or sweet custard pastries Madeira s Top 10 rounding the central courtyard you can shop for leather bags and wickerwork, fado tapes, Madeira wine and honey cake Farmers up from the country for the day sell bread, bunches of herbs and seasonal fruits from upturned crates The Fruits of Madeira In Funchal’s market, even the commonplace can take you by surprise:... the island’s first settlers Top 10 Features Entrance Hall The Renaissance loggia facing onto Praça do Município has been converted into the chic Café do Museu A great place for a snack, lunch or early evening meal, the café serves salads, pasta dishes, soups and light meals from 10am to 7:30pm • Rua do Bispo 21 • Map P3 • 291 228 900 • Open 10am–12:30pm, 2:30–6pm Tue–Sat, 10am–1pm Sun • Admission €3... Europe in chests made of this wood Madeira s Top 10 Portuguese, barbusano) is one of the main constituents of Madeira s native evergreen forest Its billowing clouds of fresh lime-green leaves contrast with the deep green of previous years’ growth were shipped to Portugal and Spain for shipbuilding; the ships of the Spanish Armada were largely built from this wood Madeira: World Heritage Site The primeval . Arieiro 32–33 Top 10 of Everything 36–61 Madeira s top 10 TT-Mad_004-005-Opener1.indd 5 05/08/07 03 :10: 30 PM TT-Mad_006-007-Highlights.indd 6 9/8/07 3:03:24 PM Madeiras Top 10 Madeira Highlights Madeira. 01:26:49 PM MADEIRA CHRISTOPHER CATLING TOP 10 EYEWITNESS TRAVEL TT-Mad_001-Title .indd 1 05/08/07 01:29:18 PM TT-Mad_002-003-Contents_UK.indd 2 9/8/07 2:42:21 PM Contents Contents Madeira s Top 10 Funchal. PM TT-Mad_004-005-Opener1.indd 4 05/08/07 03 :10: 12 PM TT-Mad_004-005-Opener1.indd 4 05/08/07 03 :10: 30 PM TT-Mad_004-005-Opener1.indd 5 05/08/07 03 :10: 16 PM MADEIRA S TOP 10 Madeira Highlights 6–7 Funchal